We're always on the hunt for great burgers. And the hunt never ceases, because despite Shanghai being home to a plethora of places for them – strictly burger joints, American eateries with burgers, pubs doing burgers, fast food burger chains, midnight burger trucks – it's still not that often that we find one that really rocks our world. But there's juicy stuff being flipped around on the grill at newly opened Sunny's Burgerland in Jingan – stuff worth getting all drooly about.
In most cases, Shanghai makes you pay an arm and a leg for your burger, delicious or not. But these are affordable, laid-back burgers for the people, served in a modest little joint with just a few tables, a flat top grill behind the counter and a young, chill crew beside it.
Originally, the Sunny's team planned for the little space to be an all-day sit-down breakfast joint, but quickly realised that in Shanghai, ain't nobody got time for that. The people need quick, filling, delicious food that won't drain the wallet come lunch time, and that's exactly what you'll find. Sunny's is a hipster at heart: it house-makes funky, colourful buns, sources premium ingredients and throws in cool kid touches like whipped vanilla bean cream to dip your fries in while you sip on coconut water with fresh fruit on ice or bubbly passion fruit soda.
Passion Soda (30RMB)
Coconut Paradise (42RMB)
At the moment there are seven types of burgers, with more on the way – including a veggie burger, which we're psyched on because they are shockingly sparse in this city. Prices start at 60RMB, and each of these 180g Australian beef bad boys comes with hand cut fries and a salad. Plus, you get to pick your pick of the buns: butter, bright red beetroot or bamboo charcoal; each super fresh, fluffy and warmed on the grill.
Amigo Burger (68RMB)
The Amigo burger (pictured above) on a beetroot bun is a monster overflowing with limey guacamole, crispy tortilla chips, jalapeños, corn and black beans. Just embrace the mess.
Budapest Burger (68RMB)
For something a little different, the Budapest Burger pays tribute to the chef's Hungarian roots, swapping out beef for breaded chicken schnitzel topped with garlic sour cream spread and parmesan. Go for this one on a butter bun.
The Royale (88RMB)
The Royale is the swankiest burger on offer, topped with foie gras, bacon and mushrooms. Keep it classy with a bamboo charcoal bun, 'cause all the fanciest things look best in black. And even with all those luscious chunks of rich pan-fried foie, it's only got an 88RMB price tag.
Sunny's Burgerland 286-1 Fengxian Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu (136 3634 7970).
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